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How to Optimize Images in Web Design

As a Web design enthusiast, you know it’s important to optimize your images for the Web. But do you have all of the rules straight? Follow these simple guidelines to be sure your photographs and graphics are professionally optimized for Web use:

Stick with the JPEG or GIF

When it comes to final file formats, .jpg and .gif are usually best. Follow these rules for choosing among the two:

GIF file formats are good for graphics such as charts, icons, logos, etc.

JPEG file formats should always be used for photographs, images, and high-quality graphic designs.

JPEG files are higher quality because of their ability to save millions of colors, shades, and gradients. Remember that these files take more time to load, so it’s best to use GIFs for lower-quality graphics.

Always Compress

Since saving images as .jpg files results in longer loading times, compression is essential. You can usually choose to compress an image at Maximum, Very High, High, Medium, and Low, so be sure to test the different compressions and loading times. Some are willing to sacrifice time for the Maximum compression setting, but your website users are more likely to stay on the page if they can view images quickly.

Remember Pixel Sizes

Adjusting the amount of pixels in images and graphics can make a significant difference in the loading time. Many images are saved with an excessive amount of pixels for the Web, so remember to reduce those pixels to what’s necessary for your images. Always test combinations of file formats, compression levels, and pixels to find the optimal quality and load time.

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